It is the digital (r)evolution - the analog becomes digital.
Software has many advantages: it is cheaper, more reliable, maintenance-free, space-saving, resource-saving and more environmentally friendly than hardware. I like this one: (Software) FabFilter - Pro-Q 3 VST (comes with the "Linear Phase" ) €109

 

Eh... I was talking about EQ, not reverb.

 

Good example is Poly-Ana, a great VST, pretty gui cluttered that someone made a custom HW controller:

In reverse, I normally prefer VST unbound to real HW, but I would love to see the VP-550 in VST version, IMHO if not the best the most unique vocoder ever.
I managed to replicate that with other VSTs getting near, but yet not completely satisfactory.

 

Sadly, that's not possible. Your DAW needs to make some calculations to achieve this. That's why these EQs have a higher CPU load and always come with some latency.

 

Digital software has bugs, its functionality depends on the computer hardware and the version of the OS, you cannot touch it and you cannot repair it yourself in case of a bug.
But yeah, it's cheap...

I don't want to start an analog versus hardware discussion. both have their advantages and disadvantages. And i think it would be an advantage to be able to use a linear phase EQ within an analog chain without additional conversion in between.

 

You can suggest your idea to a manufacturer and he will tell you whether it is feasible or why it has no chance.

 

It is possible. Analog FIR filters were possible a long time before software FIR filters existed. And today, decades later, so much is possible with tiny ICs and phase-coherent delay lines ...
There are so many papers on this topic. If it were 1996, I would agree with you.

 

Last edited: Jun 11, 2021

Oh, I didn't know this. I've never seen one (neither such an EQ nor such a paper).

 

There is no such EQ, that's what I said, but there are individual filters and corresponding papers on the electrical engineering behind them.
I don't know what the AES has about it because I don't pay any contributions. But if someone here has access to this, I would be interested

 

I just want cool looking/functional hardware controllers for the software. I could have full studio of them!

 

Ok this might sound really stupid, but hear me out : isn't it possible to build analog gear with latency?

Of course I understand it doesn't make much practical sense, so just asking in theory. In an oversimplified way, imagine a module at the beginning of the chain that would calculate the necessary latency and delay audio by that much before it goes through the console. Kinda like how you can "cheat" lookahead with using a sidechain a few milliseconds earlier than the main audio.

 

yes, here are just some examples:

https://sci-hub.st/10.1021/ac50008a049
https://sci-hub.st/10.1109/JSSC.2006.875302

 

Last edited: Jun 11, 2021

I'm sure you could do that with a simple Magnetic Tape Buffer thing..

To make it variable/gradable will be a bit more difficult tho,
but I'm sure mechanic/electronic engineers will come up with a nifty solution..

And it will surely add True Analog Hiss and Magical Amp/transformer vibe-stuff.

But yeah, this topic..


The only thing I would love to try/have as Hardware will be the Elysia Alpha Comp,
but only because the plugin is Incredible in the first place, so why not..

And overall, I guess an all encompassing Mastering plug/device like Ozone could have its uses..

But yeah that's the thing, I mean..
The moment your Gadget has Chips/DACs innit, you're already going Digital,
so you might aswell just grab any mini-portable computer, put whatever Software inside and call it your
"Magical Audio-Morphing Studio Gadget"..

But the idea defeats itself, that's what actual Computers+audio Software are for!

Still tho, I can see how useful it can be to have dedicated Controllers for plugs,
specially for all this Modern Synths which will blow old tech out the water..


-And just for the lols I'm gonna see your bets and raise it with:
Miroslav Philarmonik in an Analog Box..

And if it's got actual Acoustic instruments playing by themselves, like a nickelodeon,
all the Merrier!

 

Last edited: Jun 11, 2021

Nah... Just because a device contains a mixed-signal IC doesnt mean its "digital".
This would mean that there would be virtually no analog devices left.

 

True dat, old-school audio stuff had ICs for Controlling the stuff/components..

 

That and further replies are interesting.
If you use lookahead then you have latency by definition. There're also look-ahead compressors. Didn't know about linear phase eqs.

 

So on top of all drawbacks the analog gear already has, now we want to add latency?
Splendid.

 

I don't want a Propellerhead Raisin level tracker or anything like that but I want a CTRL, ALT & CLICK. Kno what else? The menu button, in the flesh.

Then put that into a piece of a coffee table & I will you give you at least a tenner. Deal or No Deal, I don't give a fuck and neither does Howie's Mandel!!!

 

If a tree branch parts ways with a tree and hits a troll on the head in the woods does that mean there was a gnome around to hear it?

Do square waves zip your dick up faster than a saw wave or does a sine wave do it safer until the Noise Osc phone calls start rolling in again until the plot of There's Something About Dairy rolls around?

I don't don't know about you but I EQ the ears off their curve on the doggies style so they don't get fatigued from hardware when it's time for that evening.